Instead of giving you a one-way translator so you can show someone what you're trying to say and hope they can respond in a way you understand, the Converse iPhone app allows for two-way conversations.

It works by each person holding one end of the phone. They each have a keyboard for writing in their mother tongue, which is then automatically translated into the other person's language so they can respond.

A little awkward? Sure, but so is any interaction with someone with whom you don't share a common language. As long as the translations this thing pumps out are reasonably accurate, this seems like it could really come in handy on your next foreign vacation.